winter solstice

"From here on, the Light grows." Amy Burt

The Winter Solstice or Sun Return as some traditions call it, falls in mid-December.  The word solstice comes from the Latin sol (Sun) and sistere (to stand still) because to the ancients, it appeared that the Sun halted before it reversed direction.  To encourage the Sun's return, people created special rituals, often using bonfires and candles, to honor and mimic the Sun and stave off extended darkness. These traditions continue today in our modern seasonal celebrations. 

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